Lok Sabha Speaker asks MPs to observe discipline

On Day 3 in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla expressed his annoyance with lawmakers for not maintaining the dignity of the House, asking them maintain discipline.

Birla's direction came at a time when a ruckus started in the Lok Sabha after Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tabled afresh the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019.

He spoke up when leader of Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary left his seat from the front row and went over to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, apparently to discuss the Bill.

"Honorable members, please do not go from one table to another. We should maintain the dignity of the House and be disciplined," Birla said.

Birla said he had been a Member of Parliament and also a three-time member of the Assembly, but maintained discipline.

Amid the din over introduction of The Triple Talaq Bill, he later reprimanded Choudhary when he left his seat again and went over to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

Birla directed Choudhary to go out of the House if there is such urgency to talk about any matter.

"MPs should respect when something is said from the chair of the House. Please maintain discipline of the House. As a leader of the Congress and being a senior member, you (Choudhary) should respect the chair and be disciplined. If you want to talk during the ongoing session, go outside the House," Birla said.

Om Birla, a BJP leader from Rajasthan, was on Wednesday elected as the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, with the Opposition supporting his candidature.IANS